| 词条 | Ralph K. Hofer | ||||||||||||||||||
| 释义 |
|name= Ralph K. Hofer |image= File:Ralph Hofer 29733.jpg |image_size= |alt= Ralph Kidd Hofer |caption= Ralph Kidd Hofer in his P-47 Thunderbolt |nickname= "The Kidd" |birth_date= {{birth date|1921|6|22}} |birth_place= Salem, Missouri, United States |death_date= {{death date and age|1944|7|2|1921|6|22}} |death_place= Mostar, Yugoslavia |placeofburial= Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery |allegiance= Canada United States |branch= Royal Canadian Air Force (1941–43) United States Army Air Forces (1943–44) |serviceyears= 1941–1944 |rank= Lieutenant |unit= 4th Fighter Group |commands= |battles= World War II |awards= Distinguished Flying Cross (7) Air Medal (3) |relations= |laterwork= }}Ralph Kidd Hofer (born Ralph Halbrook,[1] June 22, 1921 – July 2, 1944) was an American fighter pilot and flying ace with the United States Army Air Forces in World War II.[2] United States Army Air ForcesWith his long hair and football jersey, "Kid" Hofer stands out as one of the most memorable characters in the Eighth Air Force. After serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force, Hofer transferred to the 4th Fighter Group in September 1943 and promptly destroyed a Bf 109 on his first mission. Hofer was known for not maintaining radio discipline, and incurred the wrath of group commander Colonel Don Blakeslee on more than one occasion. Hofer was also one of the top strafers in the Eighth Air Force with 14 confirmed enemy aircraft destroyed on the ground. He scored his first two victories in P-47s but is usually associated with P-51B 42-106924 QP—L, nicknamed Salem Representative. DeathOn July 2, 1944 the 352nd and 325th Fighter Groups participated in a fighter sweep over Budapest, Hungary, flying from bases in Foggia, Italy.[3] Over the Budapest area, they encountered a force of Bf 109s. In the tough battle that followed four P-51s were shot down.[4] Of the four downed pilots, two were made prisoners of war, and two were killed. The last was Hofer. Most probably he was shot down by warrant officer Leó Krizsevszky from Hungarian Royal Airforce 101 fighter wing.{{Citation needed|reason=Reliable source needed for the whole sentence|date=February 2019}} His body was found in the wreckage of P-51B, QP-X some 500 kilometers away at a Luftwaffe airfield in Mostar, Yugoslavia. Hofer is buried in a mass grave at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri. DecorationsAmong Hofer's decorations are the Distinguished Flying Cross with six oak leaf clusters and three Air Medals.[5] Army Air Forces Pilot Badge
Notes1. ^{{cite web|title=Ralph Kidd Hofer|url=http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=389970|work=Hall of Valor|publisher=Military Times|accessdate=8 December 2017}} 2. ^{{cite news |url=http://www.thesalemnewsonline.com/collection_a8c76c98-25e5-11e7-8855-fb707d149b3b.html |title=Original Coverage of Ralph K. Hofer's Career |work=The Salem News |date=2017-05-09 |accessdate=2018-05-31 }} 3. ^Scutts, p32 4. ^Scutts, p33 5. ^Hess, p.101. References{{Portal|United States Air Force}}
|title=America's Top WWII Aces in their Own Words, Eighth Air Force |author=Hess, William}} (The Aces: Lt. Ralph K. Hofer, pages 101–104)
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9 : 1921 births|1944 deaths|American World War II flying aces|Aviators from Missouri|Aviators killed by being shot down|Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|United States Army Air Forces officers|United States Army Air Forces pilots of World War II|People from Salem, Missouri |
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